Interview: Nick Young Talks Style, His Cousin Kendrick Lamar and His Experience With a Fire Extinguisher

I actually went to school with her at USC and we became a couple. [We've known] each other for like six, seven years now. I’m proud of her. She worked hard to get where she’s at.

Who is on your playlist right now?

I’ve been listening to A$AP, Drake, Wiz, Nipsey Hussle, Ross and Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick is my cousin. Actually, I just found out through my dad. I knew him when he was little, but I hadn’t seen him in a while and now it’s like ‘Damn, I didn’t know that’s my cousin and I ain't seen him in forever.’ That’s big time.

You tweeted about a "Swagy P mixtape" a few months ago, is that something we should be looking for?

[Laughs.] Hey, we got a little studio in the house and we be rapping a little bit just playing around. I want to make a video real soon. I might do something just to do it. There's a lot of talent all around.

Are you going to get a Kendrick Lamar feature on there?

Get Kendrick, then the whole West Coast: Jay Rock, Nipsey Hussle, everybody. [Laughs.]

Do you have any verses you want to give us a sample of?

Nah, nah, not right now.

Kendrick Lamar is my cousin. Actually, I just found out through my dad. I knew him when he was little, but I hadn’t seen him in a while.

When you do get it, you’ve got to send it to Complex first.

Most definitely. Most definitely.

What was it like getting to play for your hometown Clippers last season?

Oh man. That was crazy. Besides everybody hitting me up for tickets. It was amazing being back home, getting home cooked meals every night, playing in front of family, friends. Especially the playoffs, there’s nothing like that. My first time really experiencing that. I might miss that, but hey, they was tripping. I’m East Coast now.

What was the 27-point comeback game against the Grizzlies like?

Oh man, that was one of the best feelings I had being in the NBA. That was crazy. My brother said he changed the channel. He woke up and said ‘Y’all won?!’ A lot of people just changed the channel. Down 26 I would have changed it, too. [Laughs.]

What did you learn from the second-round series against the Spurs?

That Tim Duncan really is one of the best power forwards to play this game. I never really just paid attention to him, but at this age he is now he’s killing it. [Manu] Ginobili, all of them. I just gained a lot of respect for them and the coach. He just had them playing great ball from the rookies to Duncan, they were killing it. Nobody really watches the Spurs, but to just sit there and play against them it’s crazy. They're good, real good.